Question 1

Harold W.Stevenson conducted a comparative study of students in the United States and Asia.He discovered that __________.
A)contrary to popular belief,American schoolchildren perform better than do those in Asia
B)students in some of the better Asian schools had scores that were similar to those of American students
C)Asian students performed as well or better than American students through the fifth grade,but then,the American youngsters far outperformed their Asian counterparts
D)All of the above
E)None of the above

Accepted Answer

Harold W. Stevenson's research primarily found that Asian students, particularly in countries like Japan and China, often outperformed their American counterparts in areas such as mathematics. The options provided either contradict known findings or oversimplify the outcomes of his comparative studies, which highlighted the strength of Asian educational systems in certain academic areas compared to the United States.

Question 2

According to the text's discussion of the "failure" of the American educational system,__________.
A)educational policy makers believe that schools must do more to increase the overall level of student achievement
B)most teachers believe that parents should not play a major role in their children's education
C)an increasing majority of parents are electing to "homeschool" their children
D)All of the above
E)None of the above

Accepted Answer

The text discusses the belief of educational policy makers that schools need to do more to increase student achievement. There is no mention of most teachers believing that parents should not play a major role in their children's education or an increasing majority of parents electing to homeschool their children.

Question 3

The Bush administration and Congress have developed a program,known as __________,whose components include developing national achievement tests,encouraging failing students to accept tutoring,and punishing schools and school districts that fail to raise student test scores to national averages.
A)No Child Left Behind
B)Education First
C)Children Empowered
D)Back to the Basics
E)Let's Encourage Our Children

Accepted Answer

E

Question 4

The gap in educational attainment between blacks and whites has narrowed considerably since the beginning of the twentieth century,mainly as a result of the __________.
A)discontinuation of achievement tests
B)infusion of federal monies to support African American education
C)increase in the minimum amount of education received by almost all Americans
D)modified admission standards
E)None of the above

Accepted Answer

The gap in educational attainment between blacks and whites has narrowed primarily due to the increase in the minimum amount of education received by almost all Americans, which has raised the overall educational floor.

Question 5

In his research,educator Robert Slavin determined that among fourth graders __________.
A)whose parents graduated from college,70 percent were reading at or above the basic level
B)whose parents were high school dropouts,32 percent were reading at or above the basic level
C)whose homes had magazines,newspapers,encyclopedias,and at least 25 books,about 70 percent scored at or above the basic level
D)All of the above
E)None of the above

Accepted Answer

The statement includes all the options mentioned in the question, which are true according to Robert Slavin's research. Therefore, option D is the correct choice.

Question 6

The __________ approach to educational problems focuses on intergroup disputes that arise out of the desire to maintain or defend a group's status in a particular community.
A)functionalist
B)labeling
C)value-conflict
D)social disorganization
E)institutional

Accepted Answer

The value-conflict approach to educational problems focuses on intergroup disputes that arise out of the desire to maintain or defend a group's status in a particular community. This approach acknowledges that societal values and norms often conflict with the values and norms of certain groups, leading to disagreements and tensions. Education is seen as a tool that can help resolve these conflicts by promoting understanding and respect for diverse perspectives.

Question 7

The __________ approach to educational problems views the system of compulsory education in the United States to be the result of meeting the needs of a capitalist economy for skilled and disciplined workers.
A)functionalist
B)social disorganization
C)labeling
D)Marxian conflict
E)interactionist

Accepted Answer

The Marxian conflict approach emphasizes the economic and social conflicts that arise between different social classes, and it views the educational system as a tool that perpetuates those conflicts. According to this perspective, the compulsory education system in the US is designed to create a disciplined, obedient workforce that can meet the needs of capitalist employers, rather than to provide all students with an equal opportunity to develop their talents and skills.

Question 8

One reason educational attainment is stressed so strongly is that it is positively correlated with __________.
A)feelings of superiority
B)socioeconomic status
C)democratic participation
D)positive peer group evaluations
E)religious sanctification

Accepted Answer

Educational attainment is strongly correlated with socioeconomic status, meaning that individuals who achieve higher levels of education are more likely to have higher incomes and more opportunities for job advancement. This can lead to a variety of benefits, including access to better healthcare, improved living conditions, and increased stability. However, it is important to note that educational attainment is not the only factor that contributes to socioeconomic status.

Question 9

Which of the following groups has/have attained equal access to quality education?
A)blacks
B)Hispanics
C)Native Americans
D)All of the above
E)None of the above

Accepted Answer

Despite efforts to improve access to education for these groups, all of them still face significant disparities and challenges in terms of quality education access.

Question 10

At various times,_______________ urged educational systems to add more computers and networks to their classroom
A)Bill Clinton and George H.W.Bush
B)Ronald Reagan and Al Gore
C)Al Gore and Newt Gingrich
D)George W.Bush and Bill Clinton
E)Bob Dole and Bill Clinton

Accepted Answer

Al Gore and Newt Gingrich both advocated for the integration of technology in education.

Question 11

The __________ approach to educational problems views them as resulting from students who come from homes that are socially disorganized.
A)conflict
B)labeling
C)functionalist
D)value-conflict
E)interactionist

Accepted Answer

The functionalist approach to educational problems believes that social problems result from societal dysfunctions, such as social disorganization, poverty, and inequality.

Question 12

The quality of education available to central-city residents is lower than that available to white suburban residents.This is explained by __________.
A)central-city residents having lower IQs
B)central-city schools having fewer resources
C)county-wide busing
D)educational values that stress achievement
E)prejudiced school administrators

Accepted Answer

The lower quality of education for central-city residents is due to the fact that their schools have fewer resources.

Question 13

An approach discussed in the text analyzes the difficulties experienced by schools when they attempt to change their organization and their procedures in order to improve student performance.This reflects which perspective?
A)conflict
B)interactionist
C)labeling
D)social disorganization
E)functionalist

Accepted Answer

The approach discussed in the text focuses on improving student performance by changing the organization and procedures of schools. This reflects the functionalist perspective, which emphasizes the importance of social institutions like schools in maintaining social order and promoting societal values. Functionalists view institutions as working together to meet the needs of society, and believe that changes in one institution can have ripple effects on others. Therefore, improving schools can improve the overall functioning of society.

Question 14

Recent research by Stanford Dornbusch and his colleagues at Temple University shows that students use labels like "slacker" and "nerd" to __________.
A)personally belittle and embarrass each other
B)categorize one another and to explain how they sort themselves into cliques that perform quite differently in social and academic settings
C)facilitate "rating and dating"
D)All of the above
E)None of the above

Accepted Answer

The research by Stanford Dornbusch and his colleagues at Temple University shows that students use labels like "slacker" and "nerd" to categorize one another and to explain how they sort themselves into cliques that perform quite differently in social and academic settings. This helps them to navigate social relationships and form their own identity within their peer group. The other options (A and C) may also happen, but the main purpose of using these labels is to categorize and sort themselves into groups.

Question 15

__________ percent of all American children between the ages of 7 and 15 are enrolled in school.
A)65
B)78
C)85
D)90
E)98

Accepted Answer

98% of all American children between the ages of 7 and 15 are enrolled in school, reflecting a high level of school attendance in this age group in the United States.

Question 16

In some metropolitan areas,over 90 percent of the students in public schools are black and Hispanic.The main reason for this is __________.
A)high birthrates among blacks and Hispanics
B)drug use
C)because whites have left the city;blacks and Hispanics have moved in
D)county-wide busing
E)integrated neighborhoods

Accepted Answer

This is known as "white flight," where white families move out of the city to suburban areas, leaving predominantly black and Hispanic populations in urban areas. This has contributed to segregation in public schools. The other options (A, B, D, E) do not adequately explain the phenomenon.

Question 17

The __________ approach to educational problems views the schools as agents of social control whose task it is to reinforce society's values and to control deviance through discipline.
A)interactionist
B)functionalist
C)labeling
D)class conflict
E)social disorganization

Accepted Answer

The functionalist approach emphasizes the role of institutions, such as schools, in maintaining social order and stability. According to functionalists, the school's primary function is to socialize students into the dominant culture's values and norms and to ensure that they conform to societal expectations. This approach sees schools as agents of social control who enforce discipline and punish deviance.

Question 18

Busing has been employed in the attempt to achieve school desegregation.One study of busing describes a community that actively resists change.This community is called a __________.
A)backlash tract
B)reactionary neighborhood
C)resistance bastion
D)defended neighborhood
E)neighborhood on the offense

Accepted Answer

The term "defended neighborhood" is used to describe a community that actively resists change, especially in the context of efforts to achieve school desegregation through busing. This term reflects the idea that residents perceive their neighborhood as needing defense against external forces of change.

Question 19

If it wants to be __________,a society has a responsibility to provide equal access to quality education for all of its citizens.
A)successful
B)competitive
C)egalitarian
D)democratic
E)communistic

Accepted Answer

The word "egalitarian" means believing in or promoting the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities. Therefore, if a society wants to be egalitarian, it must ensure that everyone has access to quality education regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.

Question 20

The __________ approach to educational problems identifies how schools that label students as "underachievers" can become "factories for failure."
A)interactionist
B)functionalist
C)conflict
D)social disorganization
E)value-conflict

Accepted Answer

The interactionist approach focuses on how individuals and groups interact, including the impact of labeling on student performance and self-concept, which can lead to schools becoming "factories for failure" by reinforcing negative labels.

Quiz 11: Problems of Education

Harold W.Stevenson conducted a comparative study of students in the United States and Asia.He discovered that __________.

According to the text's discussion of the "failure" of the American educational system,__________.

The Bush administration and Congress have developed a program,known as __________,whose components include developing national achievement tests,encouraging failing students to accept tutoring,and punishing schools and school districts that fail to raise student test scores to national averages.

The gap in educational attainment between blacks and whites has narrowed considerably since the beginning of the twentieth century,mainly as a result of the __________.

In his research,educator Robert Slavin determined that among fourth graders __________.

The __________ approach to educational problems focuses on intergroup disputes that arise out of the desire to maintain or defend a group's status in a particular community.

The __________ approach to educational problems views the system of compulsory education in the United States to be the result of meeting the needs of a capitalist economy for skilled and disciplined workers.

One reason educational attainment is stressed so strongly is that it is positively correlated with __________.

Which of the following groups has/have attained equal access to quality education?

At various times,_______________ urged educational systems to add more computers and networks to their classroom

The __________ approach to educational problems views them as resulting from students who come from homes that are socially disorganized.

The quality of education available to central-city residents is lower than that available to white suburban residents.This is explained by __________.

An approach discussed in the text analyzes the difficulties experienced by schools when they attempt to change their organization and their procedures in order to improve student performance.This reflects which perspective?

Recent research by Stanford Dornbusch and his colleagues at Temple University shows that students use labels like "slacker" and "nerd" to __________.

__________ percent of all American children between the ages of 7 and 15 are enrolled in school.

In some metropolitan areas,over 90 percent of the students in public schools are black and Hispanic.The main reason for this is __________.

The __________ approach to educational problems views the schools as agents of social control whose task it is to reinforce society's values and to control deviance through discipline.

Busing has been employed in the attempt to achieve school desegregation.One study of busing describes a community that actively resists change.This community is called a __________.

If it wants to be __________,a society has a responsibility to provide equal access to quality education for all of its citizens.

The __________ approach to educational problems identifies how schools that label students as "underachievers" can become "factories for failure."